THE GAMING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10115, 10 October 1910, Page 4

THE GAMING BILL.

The Caming Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives last week, and a precis of which is published in this issue, makes provision for the withdrawal of licenses to bookmakers to bet on racecourses. It also provides for a penalty up to £2O being imposed upon any person who "frequents, loiters, or is in any street for the purpose of betting." The latter clause has been in operation for years past, and lias been openly violated, under the very eyes of the police. The new Bill makes it illegal for any person under twenty-one years of age to bet upon the totalisator. Tlie result will be. that scores of young men who would attend the races under ordinary circumstances, and probably invest a pound or two upon the totalisator, will remain in the towns and patronise the walking "tote" with their five shillings. This will at once encourage street betting. If the Legislature were desirous of suppresing the street bettor, it would make the penalties more severe, and make the person patronising the bookmaker as culpable as the bookmaker himself. The reduction in the number of race meetings in the Dominion will be welcomed by a large section of the comnrantiy, and the setting up of a commission to determine where the reductions ar<> to be made will give general satisfaction. There seems very little, doubt but that Parliament will give tin's new Gaming Bill a trial. And time alone will tell whether there is a visible diminution in the gambling evil.